FERNANDO TORRES paid a stirring tribute today to Liverpool FC and its fans - for helping turn him into a European champion.

The Reds striker scored a stunning winner to sink Germany last night and end Spain’s 44-year wait for a major trophy.

Now he wants to follow up his first major success as a player by helping Liverpool to glory in the coming season.

Torres told the ECHO: “It is a dream come true and now we have a place in European history so it is very special.

“It is my first major title but I hope it will be the first of many because I want to win many more titles with Liverpool and Spain.

“I would like to thank the staff and players at Liverpool for their support during Euro 2008 because it makes a real difference when you know you have the backing of the people of your club and because of this they share in our success.

“I have had a wonderful first season at Anfield and the goals I scored for Liverpool gave me the confidence and belief I needed for the Euros and, again, I would like to thank Rafa and his staff because I have improved as a player thanks to them.

“But it isn’t just the people at the club who have helped me, it is also the supporters and the people of the city.

“From the moment I first came to Liverpool I have been made to feel welcome and that is why I am able to enjoy my football so much.

“It is incredible because the Liverpool fans have given me so much support and I know that they have even been supporting Spain and this is something I will never forget and I thank everyone for that.

“Now I am looking forward to competing for trophies with the Reds because I know that means so much to the club and the fans.”

Torres will be given extra time off to recover from his Euro 2008 exertions, with Liverpool reporting back to pre-season training today. When he does eventually report back to Melwood there could be a number of significant changes.

Former Reds defender Maurico Pellegrino is expected to join the Reds coaching staff during the training camp in Switzerland, with a view to joining the staff permanently.

The Argentinian played 12 games for the Reds in 2005, but endeared himself permanently to some of the younger players at the club when he collected the Champions League losers’ medals discarded by the distraught Milan players in Istanbul and handed them out.

Benitez worked for much of last season without an assistant, following Pako Ayesteran’s defection, but filled that gap with the appointment of Sammy Lee this summer.

He also lost Alex Miller to Japanese club JEF United Chiba, but Pellegrino’s association with Benitez goes back to their glory days together at Valencia.

Anthony Le Tallec, meanwhile, has finally severed his ties with Liverpool after signing for French first division club Le Mans UC72.

The young striker has been on loan from Anfield for the past four season – at St Etienne, Sunderland, Sochaux and Le Mans – but has now formally ended his association with the club.